resort you can drive to (with kids)?

[Anonymous]

Our family of 4 had been planning a trip to Puerto Rico, but with the swine flu outbreak, we're rethinking being cooped up in an airplane with lots of germy travelers. We'd been planning to splurge on the Las Casitas Resort in Puerto Rico and are now looking for a domestic alternative. Onsite babysitting is a must, as we have two toddlers and want to have a few date nights on the trip. Recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Depends how far you want to drive--The Homestead and the Greenbrier are both 4 hours and Nemacolin is 2 1/2 hours.

[Anonymous]

Hyatt Chesapeake Bay, about a 2 hour drive, great place for kids (they have a game room, a mini golf...etc, lots of fun stuff for kids). There is babysitting, nursery, baby services...
Here is the info:http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g41038-d89396-Reviews-Hyatt_Regency_Chesapeake_Bay_Golf_Resort_Spa_and_Marina-Cambridge_Maryland.html

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the reccs. We're actually willing to drive quite far. As long as we could do it in a day (10-12 hrs). Beach resorts would be ideal, but not a must. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island in South Carolina, near Charleston.

[Anonymous]

The Greenbrier is under bankruptcy right now so the service quality might not be very reliable.
We've stayed at Nemacolin several times and enjoyed it, though it is very midwestern feeling (after living in NYC and DC so long, it is really strange to go somewhere and see only Caucasian people among guests, service people, etc) and filled with business groups (my first visit was actually on a work retreat). Excellent spa though.

[Anonymous]

Kingsmill in Williamsburg is wonderful. Good spas, indoor pool, retaurants, golf/tennis. Overlooks the water. Even has a convenient 9 hole course. We preferred it to Homestead and Greenbriar since it is less travel time.

For a beach vacation with the kids why bother flying to Puerto Rico when you can just drive to bethany? or go to Chincoteague and watch the ponies?

[Anonymous]

If you are willing to fly, then check out Hilton Head, SC. I know if you stay in Sea Pines (www.seapines.com) or even at the Disney resort, they have plenty of activities for kids and babysitting services.

Another option that I never see mentioned is Long Island, NY, up around Sag Harbor, there's Gurney Inn Resort and Spa in Montauk, NY, (www.gurneys-inn.com). Although it's not on the ocean, there is a new resort up in Lake George, NY, on a lake, that's really nice, Lodges at Cresthaven, (www.lakegeorgelodges.com).

[Anonymous]

Was just at the Greenbrier and service was still excellent, despite their internal problems. It's a much easier drive to Greenbrier/Homestead than Williamsburg and 95. It took me 2 hours to get from Fredericksburg to Potomac Mills three weeks ago! I HATE that 95 drive.

There's also the Sanderling Hotel in the Outer Banks - or you can get pretty cheap rentals there too since it's off-season.

Wild Dunes just outside of Charleston is also really nice. Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation outside of Atlanta (would probably max your 12 hour drive) is great and has a great kids program.

[Anonymous]

Here are a few nice beach resorts:
- The Sanderling in the Outer Banks in North Carolina:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g49088-d113382-Reviews-The_Sanderling-Duck_Outer_Banks_North_Carolina.html
-The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54296-d283266-Reviews-The_Sanctuary_at_Kiawah_Island-Kiawah_Island_South_Carolina.html
- Hilton Oceanfront Resort Hilton Head Island: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54273-d224465-Reviews-Hilton_Oceanfront_Resort_Hilton_Head_Island-Hilton_Head_South_Carolina.html
- Wild Dunes Resort in South Carolina:http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54283-d226198-Reviews-Wild_Dunes_Resort-Isle_of_Palms_South_Carolina.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are willing to fly, then check out Hilton Head, SC. I know if you stay in Sea Pines (www.seapines.com) or even at the Disney resort, they have plenty of activities for kids and babysitting services.

OP mentioned the whole point was not to fly. That said, Hilton Head is about a 9 hour drive - w/in the range you mentioned. We love HH and, although we usually stay at a villa that doesn't offer babysitting, we've visited the Disney property and it's great. Fantastic pool area and they have babysitting. There are some fantastic restaurants in HH which would be great for your dates nights and others that would be good for a family.

[Anonymous]

Chatham Bars Inn or Wequassett Inn on Cape Cod. It's about a 9-10 hour drive. But best to go in July or August, it's too cold now. June can be great but can also be cold.

[Anonymous]

Sea Island, GA. Expensive, but very family-oriented. Have heard good things about The Sanctuary at Kiawah, too.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I'm the poster who recommended Hilton Head and I meant to say, that if you were willing to drive that far, then check out Hilton Head. If you stay in a villa in Sea Pines, under their management company then they will assist you in finding babysitting services. And if you stay in one of the Marriott owned villas, the timeshares, they too will help you with babysitting, as I'm sure most of the upper end hotels will.

[Anonymous]

Sanctuary at Kiawah. We go every year with two little ones. Excellent service and beautiful spot.
Wild dunes at Isle of Palms is a distant second. But still nice.